PhD Applications: No GRE or Thesis?

[phdingeorgia12]

Hello!

I'm curious what the group thinks about this.

I just finished my MS in Management from a top ranked school (Boston University.) I did not need to take the GRE for admission and my program did not require (or offer) a thesis.

I am now looking for PhD programs at several top schools in Georgia in  Psychology. However, I have concerns that application committees might view these factors negatively. What are your thoughts? I realize that I need to take the GRE for admission (and plan to take that over the next few months.) So, that will be taken care of.

But, can I compare to other competitive applicants w/out a thesis?

Thanks for your input.

[TheFez]

 I don't think the PhD programs care about BU's admissions policy or the thesis...

1. You will have to take the GRE - and so you are right, that's a non-issue. You will need a good score.

2. As part of the complete application evaluation they will try to see how prepared you are to do research. If you have no previous evidence of original work then you won't score many points with the Ad Comm.

Most PhD program decisions work sorta like this...

1. Does the candidate meet some minimum level of academic achievement? Based on GRE scores, GPA, etc.

2. If so - then they look at the whole package - research, recommendations, GRE scores, quality of UG/Masters program, etc.

It is rare, but even failing #1 - a candidate with exceptional work can be admitted. By way of comparison, my school did not have a thesis requirement either (in an econ masters) but I did some independent research, wrote a paper an presented at a conference. I am sure this was a plus.

You may want to check into whether the schools you are applying to have a "writing sample" as part of their application process. If they do (at many this is optional) - then start strategizing.